required to house animals for specific periods Rabies quarantines cruelty investigations stray periods and mandated number of open cages no facility animals in foster homes temporary housing for animals much less stressful provide individualized focus and treatment for animals Guest Speaker Anna Strates Washington Animal Rescue League Animal Welfare Issues and Challenges facing the Industry cid 127 Where do homeless dogs and cats go open access admission shelters required by law to accept all animals within their jurisdiction non profit contracted with the local government required to hold stray animals for 7 8 days challenges highest volume of animals buildings often owned by local government facilities outdated poorly designed highest euthanasia rates due to higher number of animals required to accept limited access admission shelters privately funded non profit choose which animals they want to admit lower euthanasia rates don t have to euthanize for space euthanasia decisions often very controversial based on behavioral or medical reasons cid 127 may be breed species or species specific greater knowledge within their specialty rescue groups non profit organizations choose which animals to admit handle lower number of animals less disease exposure very low euthanasia rates less than 5 depend on adoption events to adopt pets animal sanctuaries handle the least amount of animals very difficult admissions process historically most difficult to adopt from and less professionally run focus on housing the animal for its entire life not necessarily adopting it out tend to be truly no kill organizations that only euthanize the terminally ill good education programs cid 127 What else is new in shelters Shelter design cid 127 more light and no bars friendly and warmer places to visit good lighting and raised beds wall of water and glass cat condos playground for cats Have we solved pet overpopulation housing litter mates together lowers stress for these pups In the 1980s approx 18 million dogs and cats annually died in animal shelters nationwide today decreased to 4 5 million many communities experiencing shortage of puppies and small dogs last 5 years rapid rise in movement of shelter animals from areas of oversupply to areas of greater demand south to north shelters in southern US overcrowded unloading a large transport 90 dogs adopted in northeast come from the south area shelters have 2 populations of animals that are still overpopulated Pit bulls and bully breeds Kittens intensive feeding Solutions low cost free spay and neuter programs cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 low cost programs all animals adopted from shelters should be sterilized BEFORE adoption target spay neuter for bully breeds may not be effective TNR Trap Neuter Return programs for feral or free roaming cats education of pet owners affordable veterinary care humane education in elementary and middle school advances in vet medicine have increased the costs of basic vet care HSUS strong correlation between unaltered animals and never having been to a veterinarian low cost free behavior and training programs cid 127 more access on internet and television trend towards positive reinforcement training increase access in stores like Petsmart community outreach in low income areas changes in animal welfare approach to communities HSUS s pets for life increase in property has stalled many programs during poor economic times No Kill Movement in Austin TX after switching to no kill shelter community dog bites incrust 35 adopting out animals with behavior problems hurts open admission shelters because have to take in all animals other organizations take adoptable animals from them cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127 cid 127